Cinema Effect

A well regarded dystopian sci-fi thriller from the 90s, 12 Monkeys marks our first time covering the work of Terry Gilliam, giving us the perfect excuse to dive into his unique filmmaking sensibilities and the stylistic quirks that define his movies. Starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt, the film follows a time travelling prisoner sent back to uncover the origins of a devastating...

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has long stood as one of our favourite entries in the Harry Potter saga, but the big question is whether it still holds up under scrutiny on our millionth rewatch. Directed by David Yates, who ushers in a new era for the franchise, the film balances the whimsical and nostalgic elements we still get a kick out of with a darker tone. Most importantly, it bui...

It’s time for us to tackle Project Hail Mary, one of the highest rated sci-fi films since Dune Part Two, and we’re even joined by a very special guest, literally Ryland Grace himself. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling, the film follows a lone astronaut on a desperate, high risk mission to save the Sun and humanity. Gosling delivers what might (debatably) be his...

Starship Troopers might look like a standard 90s sci fi action movie on the surface, but beneath it lies a sharp layer of satire that makes the film far more interesting than expected. Following Johnny Rico and his fellow soldiers as they battle alien bugs, the movie balances its parodic tone with a genuinely entertaining story and characters, helped in no small part by a cast that is almost absur...

Mike Newell returns to the show for the second time in a fortnight with Donnie Brasco (1997). Following the gripping true story of FBI agent Joe Pistone, played by Johnny Depp, who infiltrates the New York Mafia under the alias Donnie Brasco and forms a dangerous bond with aging mobster Lefty Ruggiero, portrayed by Al Pacino. The chemistry between Depp and Pacino is fantastic, making every scene t...

Romper Stomper is a confronting Australian drama set in 1990s Melbourne that follows a violent gang of neo Nazi skinheads whose hatred and reckless behaviour slowly tear apart their own unstable world. Starring Russell Crowe in one of the role's which launched his career, the film throws viewers directly into the ugly mindset of its characters, forcing us to experience the story through their...

The arrival of the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts injects Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with adrenaline, spectacle, and such outrageous peril for students that you have to question how it was ever approved in the first place. Directed by Mike Newell and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Brendan Gleeson, and introducing Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort, this fourth chapte...

Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin (2013) is a haunting and hypnotic sci-fi drama starring Scarlett Johansson as a mysterious woman who roams Scotland, luring unsuspecting men into her orbit. With minimal dialogue and an abstract narrative, the film is less about straightforward plot and more about atmosphere and interpretation. Glazer’s mesmerising use of sound design and otherworldly visuals creat...

In our first delve into the concert film genre, Jayden and Liam discuss Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads' seminal 1984 film, Stop Making Sense. We discuss our relationship with the band, our concert experiences, and how the film captures the concert spectacle. Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday. R...

Godzilla Minus One roars back to basics with a powerful reimagining of the iconic kaiju, set in post war Japan as a nation already devastated by World War II is pushed even further into despair by the arrival of Godzilla (hence the 'Minus One'. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the film blends human drama with large scale destruction, following survivors struggling with guilt and responsibilit...

Josh Safdie may have gone solo without brother Benny, but Marty Supreme brings back the same nervous energy and relentless momentum that defined Uncut Gems, this time set against the world of competitive table tennis in the 1950s. Timothée Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, a man singularly obsessed with becoming a professional ping pong champion, scraping together money, burning bridges, and moving...

After an extended holiday break, Cinema Effect is back for our seventh season in 2026, picking things up exactly where we left off with the Harry Potter franchise and Alfonso Cuarón’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The story follows Harry as he returns to Hogwarts for his third year while the escape of Sirius Black sets off a darker, more mysterious chapter involving the super scary Dem...

You know we had to get dressed up for the occasion, because this is indeed the most prestigious night in podcasting,. The sixth annual Cinema Effect Awards! We roll out a full awards ceremony, firstly celebrating the standout film and TV releases of 2025, highlighting the very best titles from the year that was. But that is just the beginning. Once those formalities are out of the way, we dive hea...

Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly is a fast moving character driven comedy that follows the unravelling midlife detour of Jay Kelly (George Clooney), a world famous actor whose life begins to crack under the weight of regret. Including sharp dialogue and memorable supporting players, with Adam Sandler providing a great vulnerability. Baumbach’s signature humour is front and centre with an easy rhythm that...

After 5 years we finally reach the holy grail white boy film, Interstellar. Nolan's, 9th directing effort and 4th appearance on the show and another unabashed glaze session, with minor restraint shown by one white boy. The film centers on Coop, a former test pilot who has to take on one last job to save humanity at the expense of raising a daughter he loved and a son he kinda liked. We also ba...

Chris Columbus returns for his second and final outing in the series with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a sequel that embraces a darker and more dangerous tone as Harry, Ron, and Hermione uncover the mystery behind the attacks at Hogwarts. Even after countless rewatches, we still find plenty of entertaining moments to enjoy, and on this viewing we were surprised to find the central myst...

It’s hard to believe, but this is actually our first time covering an Edgar Wright film on the podcast, and what a way to start with his new 2025 take on The Running Man. Starring Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, and many others, this Stephen King adaptation follows Ben Richards as he fights to survive a deadly televised game while navigating the constant manipulation of a corrupt media net...

We’re diving into Guillermo del Toro’s new and anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a dark retelling of the classic story about a brilliant scientist who creates life, only to face the horrifying consequences of his own ambition. As big fans of the novel (with one of us having just finished reading it this week), we were eager to see how del Toro’s version reimagines the source m...

We had the pleasure of sitting down with director Daniel V. Masciari to discuss his new film 'Stationed at Home', a sincere and personal debut feature set (and shot on location) in upstate New York. Daniel walks us through the film’s long seven year journey to being made, from its early development years to its festival premieres, and shares insight into crafting its cosy visual style and eccentri...

We welcome our fellow Aussie Baz Luhrmann back to the show for the first time in 2025, this time diving into his bold and unconventional adaptation Romeo & Juliet. This stylish, fast-paced, and contemporary take on William Shakespeare’s tragedy keeps the original Old English dialogue intact, a creative choice that proved to be the most divisive element among us. Still, it’s hard not to admire...

With HBO’s new Harry Potter series now in production, we decided there’s no better time to feed our anticipation (and scepticism) by revisiting the beloved film saga month by month, starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (or Sorcerer’s Stone for our US listeners). Chris Columbus’ 2001 adaptation remains a magical introduction to the wizarding world, overflowing with wonder, fun, an...

It’s time to return to the filmography of ultra friend of the show Denis Villeneuve with Enemy (2013), his debut English-language feature, which he once described as a “practice run.” If that’s the case, it’s one of the most impressive practice runs imaginable, as the film stands out as a technical showcase filled with haunting atmosphere, incredible lighting, rich colours, and an unsettling score...

Boy A (2007) is a moving and emotionally heavy British drama that explores themes of second chances, rehabilitation, and whether true change is possible for those with dark pasts. Andrew Garfield delivers a powerful and empathetic performance as Jack, a young man released from prison after committing a terrible crime as a child, trying to rebuild his life under a new identity. Peter Mullan is also...

The long-awaited Leo and PTA collab is finally here. One Battle After Another follows stoner, ex-revolutionary Dad, Bob, and his spirited daughter, Willa, living off-grid. When an old nemesis of the family resurfaces, comedic shambles ensue as father and daughter try to reclaim their past, future, and each other. A grand premise for another personal epic of PTA’s, but does it stick the landing or...

We’re returning to Paul Thomas Anderson’s filmography for the first time in years with Inherent Vice (2014), a pot-fuelled, bumbling detective story that plays as equal parts mystery, comedy, and fever dream. Joaquin Phoenix stars as private investigator Doc Sportello, stumbling his way through a tangle of crime, corruption, and shifting culture in 1970s Los Angeles. The film features a stacked su...